Esther Mark, Editor, Staff Writer, Edufrica.com has emerged winner of the 2016 Journalists for Christ (JFC) Innovative Young Journalist Award.
In the keenly contested award, Ebenezar Wikina, digital journalist and development communication specialist was the first runner-up, while Tayo Elegbede, a multi- media journalist with TheGuruNews.com was named the second runner-up.
Mark who is also Content Development Editor of Scholars Hub Africa , according to the judging panel headed by Editor of TheCable, Fisayo Soyombo won based on the high quality of her reports complimented with graphic pictures.
“Esther Mark’s The Superheroines of Jos Who Break Stones to Feed, Educate Their Families represents the true essence of a detailed reporting that takes the readers on the journey. Although long but it is clear, factual and easy to understand.
“ It is result-focused and represents what students of journalism were taught in school but only determined few like Esther willing to embark on outside the classroom,” one of the judges stated.
President of Journalist for Christ, Lekan Otufodunrin noted that ” Without doubt, Mark’s entry typifies the high quality of impact-driven journalism still needed in this era of multi-media reporting.”
He thanked journalist and educationist, Fola Adekeye and others for supporting the award which is meant promote excellence among young journalists.
Speaking on the theme of the ceremony, Pursuit of Excellence, Executive Director of Media Support Centre, Wale Fatade urged journalists to make excellence their watchword.
According to him, journalists must always maintain high standard of professional practice on the beat and presentation of their reports.
” When people read your story, do they search for you because of the high quality of your content ? Excellence is not a gift but an attitude,” Fatade said.
Mark, based in Jos, Plateau State, who was represented at the ceremony expressed delight at winning the award.
” I’m really grateful to God for this honour and want to thank my editor and every other person who has been there for me in my journalism journey,” Mark said in a telephone call after she was declared winner of the award.
A graduate of Mass Communication from University of Jos, Mark’s exciting journalism experience dates back to her days in the University where she not only held various position in campus publications and broadcast station, but was a reporter for the Campus-Life section of The Nation and Vanguard Newspapers.
Her excellent journalism practice has earned her a number of local and international awards including the following:
Runner Up, Promasidor Quill Award Best Online Reporter, 2016
Finalist, Up, NB Golden Pen Awards Report of the Year, 2016
Nominee: 2015 EU Lorenzo Natali Media Prize (Africa Category)
Winner: 2012 Coca Cola/ NBC Entertainment Reporter of the Year for The Nation Newspaper
She is the third winner of the award which has been won by Jennifer Ehidiamen, international Journalist and Communication Strategist and Eniola Toluwani, Correspondent, The Punch.
